This is a 2012 photo of Brian Roberts of the Baltimore Orioles baseball team. This image reflects the Orioles active roster as of Thursday, Mar. 1, 2012 when this image was taken. (AP Photo/David Goldman) ASSOCIATED PRESS

This is a 2012 photo of Brian Roberts of the Baltimore Orioles baseball team. This image reflects the Orioles active roster as of Thursday, Mar. 1, 2012 when this image was taken. (AP Photo/David Goldman) ASSOCIATED PRESS

An Internet video showed Valverde putting his glove, with the ball in it, to his mouth before delivering a 1-2 pitch to Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco. Mesoraco swung and missed at the 94-mile per hour fastball.

"Everybody can say whatever they want to, but I wasn't doing anything wrong because I've never spit on the baseball. Everybody said what I was doing, but when you play in a stadium like that, Cincinnati is so hot. I sweat too much."

Valverde is 3-1 with 12 saves in 15 chances. He has a 3.91 ERA.

He said he has not been contacted by Major League Baseball.

"When they want to talk, I'll be here all the time," he said.

Short hops

■ Yankees closer Mariano Rivera said Tuesday's surgery on his injured right knee "went perfectly" and he is looking forward to beginning his rehabilitation. The 42-year-old career saves leader tore his right ACL and damaged meniscus in the knee while shagging fly balls in batting practice May 3. A blood clot in his right calf delayed the surgery until Tuesday.

■ The Blue Jays granted Vladimir Guerrero's request to be released from his minor-league contract. The 37-year-old free agent hit .303 in eight games at Triple-A. Toronto signed him to a minor-league deal on May 10. There was no immediate word on why Guerrero asked for his release.

■ The Dodgers signed outfielder Andre Ethier to a five-year deal through 2017. Ethier leads the National League with 53 RBI.

■ The Cubs fired hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo after losing 40 of their first 60 games.